Granted, I was traveling on a discounted A fare but still it was a purchased first class ticket.

At the gate in Charlotte I was paged and informed that because of an equipment change I had been downgraded to economy on the CLT-PHL part of my itinerary. When I informed the gate agent that the aircraft behind her was a 737 and that a 737 was scheduled to operate the flight she conceded that these downgrades usually happen because of aircraft changes and that she was unable to explain why I had been bumped from first class.

She apologized profusely and said her hands were tied since this was done by operations and unless somebody did not claim their F seat I’d have to take my new seat in Y. The fact that I had a boarding pass with a seat assignment was immaterial. She did block the seat next to me in Y and told me to contact Consumer Affairs.

I don’t fly US very often but in my years of travel on other airlines never ever ever have I been bumped out of a first class seat, not even when traveling on upgrades. Is this how US usually operates? As far as I’m concerned they owe me a really good explanation and some compensation before I’ll even consider flying them again.

It’s a shame, really, since all of the front line people I’ve come in contact with at US have been extremely nice and accommodating, which is admirable in these difficult times for both the employees and the airline.

Very sorry to hear this happened to you. I've never heard anything like it. With a purchased A fare? Very hard to believe they wouldn't bump one of those lousy Cockroach Preferreds on a free upgrade before you... You are right to be upset and are due some apologies and compensation. Good luck!

You are entitled to compensation for the fare difference for that segment. You should also receive additional compensation for what happened, though you're not entitled to it.

It is possible that your seat was stolen by the government for an air marshal to use. :td:

Very sorry to hear this happened to you. I've never heard anything like it. With a purchased A fare? Very hard to believe they wouldn't bump one of those lousy Cockroach Preferreds on a free upgrade before you... You are right to be upset and are due some apologies and compensation. Good luck!

It has happened to me before (a few times) and I am CP. No compensation. An A fare is not guaranteed FC fare--limited seats are available--I have booked A fares to ATL and FC is not always available--there is no fare difference. It stinks, but it happens. Even though they owe you no compensation, I would bet that Consumer Affairs would give you a guaranteed upgrade certificate for your next flight.

That is, indeed, horrific. I've never heard of such a thing and can only imagine how mad I would be. This is very much a situation for Consumer Affairs to be aware of.

The closest I came to something like this was on the old 01UPSYS upgrades. Long story short, the two of us were totally shortchanged of our upgrades from PHL --> CDG by one of the PHL club reps who leapfrogged us to put a group of 6 Silvers that she knew well into Envoy. Was I ever steamed!!! We played by the rules, did everything as planned, were top of the waiting list until the last 45 minutes, when suddenly we dropped to 7 and 8. Huh ?!?!? Really maddening.

Good luck finding out what REALLY happened in this situation. As a point of reference, you should be aware that US has the capability to review situations like this in great detail and actually trace KEYSTROKES back to every single Gate Agent involved. Good luck

That is, indeed, horrific. I've never heard of such a thing and can only imagine how mad I would be. This is very much a situation for Consumer Affairs to be aware of.



I'm telling you, it happens and the only thing they will probably do is give you an upgrade certificate. There is no fare difference because A is not a FC guaranteed seat. I have actually had an A fare and not been able to upgrade, but because I had CP status, the upgrade was available. It's very odd how it all works. I have been on flights downgraded from 767 to 757 which only has 8 seats in FC--16 people bumped from FC.

I've never had it happen on US (but then I just figured out how to find the A fare on web in the first place), but it has happened to me twice on DL.

I'm guessing as Spiff noted that an air marshal got your seat. I think all of US's 737 are configured the same in first, so if it was 737 for 737 swap this really doesn't make sense and the only explanation that I can think of is the air marshal.

All I can say is the gate agent is lucky it wasn't Spiff who got bumped. :D

I'll be interested--as well as surprised--if you can get any details. I fly almost exclusively domestically on A-fares and your scenario scares the hell of me. It's never happened to me but if this is a new trend, they'll lose lots of dollars as I move to roach fares instead.

One of the benefits of living in my beloved 1A is that I never get bumped from FC in the case of a real downgrade in aircraft.

UGH--I'm all anxious now!

It is possible that your seat was stolen by the government for an air marshal to use. :td:
Indeed, thank goodness that 737 from CLT-PHL was well protected. :rolleyes:

This is a bit off topic, but what if you pay a full F fare, but there are no F seats available? Is compensation due? If so how much? Thanks!

This is a bit off topic, but what if you pay a full F fare, but there are no F seats available? Is compensation due? If so how much? Thanks!

Oversold situation - DBing will/should occur.

-JC

Unbelievable!!!!!! I just got off the phone with Consumer Affairs and the compensation they offered me was: NOTHING!

This is why:

1. I was bumped because of a "federal requirement" (air mashall), and no compensation is given in these cases.

2. An A ticket really is a coach ticket that has been upgraded so no refund of part of the fare.

3. The other first class passenger's combination of fare paid and status trumped mine.

My next step is to write a letter to US and if they give me the same BS I'll just write this off to a bad experience and forget I've ever heard of US Airways. I would have been satisfied with a coupon for a couple of hundred bucks, and it wouldn't have cost them much since I'd be buying another ticket from them. Oh well, back to United I guess.

Unbelievable!!!!!! I just got off the phone with Consumer Affairs and the compensation they offered me was: NOTHING!

This is why:

1. I was bumped because of a "federal requirement" (air mashall), and no compensation is given in these cases.

2. An A ticket really is a coach ticket that has been upgraded so no refund of part of the fare.

3. The other first class passenger's combination of fare paid and status trumped mine.

My next step is to write a letter to US and if they give me the same BS I'll just write this off to a bad experience and forget I've ever heard of US Airways. I would have been satisfied with a coupon for a couple of hundred bucks, and it wouldn't have cost them much since I'd be buying another ticket from them. Oh well, back to United I guess.
What a bunch of whiners!!!! GEEEEEZ

I have to agree, it's an A fare, not an F fare, so technically you sat in your ticketed cabin.

I'll just write this off to a bad experience and forget I've ever heard of US Airways. I would have been satisfied with a coupon for a couple of hundred bucks, and it wouldn't have cost them much since I'd be buying another ticket from them. Oh well, back to United I guess.
Good bye !!!!

You received an explantion. Do not blame US if you didn't read the terms of the ticket prior to purchase. And before you say it, it is your responsiblity to know the terms and condition of the ticket. You were entitled to NOTHING and so you think you would be happy if US gave a couple hundred off your next ticket. Get real.

If you want to complain to somebody, write your congressman and tell him how you feel about being bumped to coach. It will do you just about as much good as being mad at US.

Welcome to FT Jennyann. Your input will be more than welcome here. Don't judge us all by the thread you see here. You will find that the vast majority of the posters here are very loyal customers who want US to survive. Just like other boards you may visit, from time to time we like to vent at management here as well.

They do lurk here daily so we know they hear us when we do. :D Our favorite whipping boy on here is Ben Baldanza vs Jerry Glass so we just go after a different part of the management team.

Hope to see you around here oftern.

Now wait a second. I just checked a couple of A fares on usairways.com, and they are all described in the fare details/rules as "First Class Restricted", "First Class Excursion" or some such. How is that an upgraded coach ticket? It says first class, so it must be first class, no? :confused:

Now wait a second. I just checked a couple of A fares on usairways.com, and they are all described in the fare details/rules as "First Class Restricted", "First Class Excursion" or some such. How is that an upgraded coach ticket? It says first class, so it must be first class, no? :confused:

First class ticket if space is available, otherwise you're in the back.

Its just like how all of the A4COACH fares work. Technically they're coach fares but upgrades to F are immediate if space is avail:

A4COACH (http://www.usairways.com/pro_services/premium/domestic_first_class.htm)

-JC

I'm with Renalt130 on this. My understanding has always been that the A booking class is a coach fare in which you are purchasing the right to be seated in the F section if space is available at purchase. Fare details for an A4COACHF fare on Travelocity label it at "FIRST CLASS UNRESTRICTED NORMAL FARE." Thus, even if you're paying a lower fare, you have purchased the right to sit in F. Since they denied you a seat in the cabin you purchased, they should follow their IDB policy, especially since seat acquisition by TSA is not unexpected these days. A downgrade certificate for use in upgrading a future flight is the least that they should do. Keep pushing and good luck.

P. S. Based on recent experience, don't expect a fast turnaround to a response from US Customer Service.

edited to correct misspelling and elaborate on one point.

First class ticket if space is available, otherwise you're in the back.

Its just like how all of the A4COACH fares work. Technically they're coach fares but upgrades to F are immediate if space is avail:

A4COACH (http://www.usairways.com/pro_services/premium/domestic_first_class.htm)

-JC

I still maintain that there are A fares that are FIRST CLASS such as this:

Fare details for AE71QNG
FIRST CLASS EXCURSION

We should find out from the OP if he/she was on an A4COACH fare or other.

Good bye !!!!

You received an explantion. Do not blame US if you didn't read the terms of the ticket prior to purchase. And before you say it, it is your responsiblity to know the terms and condition of the ticket. You were entitled to NOTHING and so you think you would be happy if US gave a couple hundred off your next ticket. Get real.



These are the rules taken from the US website. I'm supposed to be able to see that this is actually a coach ticket? Get real. :rolleyes:


Fare details for A4CCHQ1

BK CODE
A -
PENALTY
CHANGES CHANGES PERMITTED NOTE - EARLIER/ LATER SAME DAY STANDBY IS PERMITTED - ALL FARE RULES MUST BE MET
SEASONS
NO SEASON RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
BLACKOUTS
NO BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
FLT APPL
NO FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
STOPOVERS
NO ENROUTE STOPOVERS PERMITTED. A STOPOVER OCCURS WHEN THE PASSENGER DOES NOT DEPART AN INTERMEDIATE POINT WITHIN 4 HOURS.
TICKET RESTRICTIONS
NO SALES RESTRICTION APPLY.
DISCOUNTS
50 PCT OF THE ADT FARE IS CHARGED FOR AN INS PSGR UNDER 2 YRS OF AGE. ONLY 2 PSGRS ARE PERMITTED AT THIS DISCOUNT PER ADT PSGR. INS PSGR MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL SGMTS BY AN ADT PSGR TRAVELING IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT. - - - - NO FARE IS CHARGED FOR AN INF PSGR UNDER 2 YRS OF AGE NOT OCCUPYING A SEAT. INF PSGR MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL SGMTS BY AN ADT PSGR TRAVELING IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT. *** TOUR CONDUCTOR DISOUNTS - NOTE - 6035 IN DGR APPLIES. AGENT DISCOUNTS - 6050 IN DGR APPLIES.
REROUTE
SEE PENALTY.
TRANSFERS
6 TRANSFERS PERMITTED, 3 IN EACH DIRECTION.
COMBINATIONS
CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO CIRCLE TRIP/SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAW - -MAY BE COMBINED WITH ANY ONE WAY/ROUND TRIP FARE GOVERNED BY ANY RULE IN ANY TARIFF VIA ANY CARRIER. -MOST RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS APPLY. NOTE: WHEN COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS WITH A ROUND TRIP FARE TO FORM ROUND/CIRCLE/OPEN JAW TRIPS--THE MOST RESTRICTIVE PROVISIONS APPLY. THESE INCLUDE MIN/MAX STAY- RESERVATIONS/TICKET REQUIREMENTS -STOPOVER PROVISIONS-CANCEL/CHANGE FEES OR COMBINATION PROVISIONS. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS APPLY CIRCLE TRIP - -PERMITTED. -UNLIMITED FARE BREAKS/STOPOVERS PERMITTED. OPEN JAW - -SINGLE OPEN JAW PERMITTED AT EITHER ORIGIN OR DESTINATION. DOUBLE OPEN JAW PERMITTED. END-ON-END - -PERMITTED. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE FARE COMBINATION POINT. CO-TERMINALS - -THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF CITIES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE SAME POINT EWR - HPN - NYC - ISP, LAX - ONT - SNA, OAK - SFO - SJC, BED - BOS, BWI - WAS, FLL - MIA, ORF - PHF.
OPEN RTN
ALLOWED.
REFUNDS
SEE PENALTY.
CO-TERMINALS
-THE FOLLOWING GROUPS OF CITIES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE SAME POINT EWR - HPN - NYC - ISP, LAX - ONT - SNA, OAK - SFO - SJC, BED - BOS, BWI - WAS, FLL - MIA, ORF - PHF.
MISC
PROPOSED VOLUNTARY CHANGES - REFER TO PENALTIES CATEGORY. FARE MAY NOT BE USED IN DIFFERENTIAL FARE CONSTRUCTION.

Welcome to FT Jennyann. Your input will be more than welcome here. Don't judge us all by the thread you see here. You will find that the vast majority of the posters here are very loyal customers who want US to survive. Just like other boards you may visit, from time to time we like to vent at management here as well.

They do lurk here daily so we know they hear us when we do. :D Our favorite whipping boy on here is Ben Baldanza vs Jerry Glass so we just go after a different part of the management team.

Hope to see you around here oftern.
Thank You!! Just so everyone knows....I do value all of my passengers! (and I long for Piedmont as well!!)

First class ticket if space is available, otherwise you're in the back.

Its just like how all of the A4COACH fares work. Technically they're coach fares but upgrades to F are immediate if space is avail:

A4COACH (http://www.usairways.com/pro_services/premium/domestic_first_class.htm)

-JC

That does make sense but first class was available when I booked the ticket and I was assigned a seat in first. If no first class seats had been available when I purchased the ticket I would have no complaints about sitting in Y.

The problem is that if US can bump A class passengers any time they feel like it what's the point of buying A tickets?

The problem is that if US can bump A class passengers any time they feel like it what's the point of buying A tickets?

My thought exactly! If it's going to be a gamble if you get your FC seat, then you might as well pay the roach fare at significant savings and gamble that way instead.

If it's a FC seat at booking (not space available or 7-day window but at booking), then you should NOT be moveable on the day of travel. If this becomes a trend, then they'll lose a lot of money, as there will be ZERO incentive to buy A-fares.

The letter of the "fare law" may be that you have no guarantee but the spirit in which they have been marketing this fare says it's a FC seat. Period.

3. The other first class passenger's combination of fare paid and status trumped mine.
I find it hard to believe that 11 other passengers were on full fares, and that a Preferred on a roach fare would trump a full-fare person with a confirmed upgrade (note this disbelief is directed at US, not the OP). Were you sitting in the seat the air marshall just had to have (row 2 aisle)?

I am surprised that some of my fellow FTers are blasting the OP here. I really do feel the same way he does. If I cough up the $$$ for an A fare and US tells me that they can drop me right into the front cabin and "which seat would I prefer?" -- then I take that as a right to an F seat. F inventory was reduced by one seat when he booked, right?!?!?

The mysterious puzzle piece here is what was the makeup of the other 11 paying pax in that front cabin that night? Does a CP on a non A fare trump a Gold member on an A fare? Have any of us ever seen the flowchart for such a priority matrix?

At any rate, I find it foolish to disregard the OP's issue here. Yes, I can understand that if a "Govt' Passenger" (ahem) is suddenly assigned to a flight where one was not originally planned, someone is going to be bumped. That's not comfortable at all. I just think that airlines need to recognize the significant customer issue involved in upgrading a pax well in advance and establishing that expectation and then having him show up at the gate and told "welcome to your new seat --- 22E."

Isn't this sort of like being promised the oceanfront suite in advance and getting to the hotel and as you check in are told that you have been switched to a gardenview room with two twin beds??

I also have travelled on a lot of these.

I'm with the OP - it is a FC fare allbeit a discounted one.

Space has to be available in FC since it is never F0 A1+. It can be A1 Y0

ITN can show A1 P0 E0 and you will still get a FC seat. You can not "upgrade" into the A bucket and the seat does not come out of the upgrade buckets.

It earns the same miles as a FC seat.

The fare rules say FC.

When they list fare classes for FC/Business it says F A C D Z J . See eligible fare classes off this link http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/preferredlevels/preferred_qualification_promo_2004.htm

You use no media to upgrade - even with no status.

It just happens to price out the same as a full Y ticket.


I think we had this same discussion back in May. I'll search for the posts later.

I'm with the OP as well. The fare rules call it FC. It earns miles like a FC ticket.

That said, US almost never uses ticket class and/or status when somebody gets downgraded--when the whole "shrinking 757" debacle hit at the same time as the F sale to LAS, they'd regularly put people who paid F into the back, when leaving smart CPs on upgraded tickets who happened to score row 1 or row 2 seats upfront.

I'm with the OP as well. The fare rules call it FC. It earns miles like a FC ticket.

That said, US almost never uses ticket class and/or status when somebody gets downgraded--when the whole "shrinking 757" debacle hit at the same time as the F sale to LAS, they'd regularly put people who paid F into the back, when leaving smart CPs on upgraded tickets who happened to score row 1 or row 2 seats upfront.

Agreed, there seems to be no standardized procedure as far as procedures that happen with downgrades. I've actually been assigned in row2 on larger planes and then the dreaded 757 swap comes in - I get moved out on an upgraded B fare. Other times I've heard of people in these seats were semi-protected.

-JC

I'm a CP and I enjoy my upgrades at least as much as the next guy. But I'm appalled that they would bump someone who paid for an A fare (or a full Y or B fare) ahead of me. No wonder they're broke.

There should be a well defined downgrading process and there should be some token offered when it happens (which better be a rare event.) Personally I'd be pretty happy with a TA UG cert ;)

Isn't this the purpose of the limited E & P buckets? I can understand if the aircraft is downgraded from a 321 to a 757 several people will be S.O.L (not that that's any excuse), but in a situation such as a FAM, it seems ludicrous that somebody with an A fare would get the boot. I can't imagine an F cabin full of F, A, Y & B fares with no upgraded roach fares in the mix.

I find it hard to believe that 11 other passengers were on full fares, and that a Preferred on a roach fare would trump a full-fare person with a confirmed upgrade (note this disbelief is directed at US, not the OP). Were you sitting in the seat the air marshall just had to have (row 2 aisle)?

It also surprised me that my *G status didn't help move me up the pecking order. I was supposed to be seated in 3B (last row) and I guess it's possible that this was the seat that the Air Marshall wanted. If he did want my seat and there is no official downgrade policy at US, as has been mentioned here, it makes sense that I was bumped back to coach without any regard to the status of the rest of the passengers.

I was supposed to be seated in 3B (last row) .


You mean 3C? There is no 3B in F. :cool:

You mean 3C? There is no 3B in F. :cool:

:eek: No, actually 3D, just looked at my itinerary.

These are the rules taken from the US website. I'm supposed to be able to see that this is actually a coach ticket? Get real. :rolleyes:

My apologies to renalt130. Given the fare rules posted you have every right to be upset and my comments were off base and uncalled for. I've always known that "A" were considered upgraded coach, but don't ask me how unless it was the link JC provided. (maybe it was my experiences on DL where they made it clear twice that "A" fares were upgraded coach). There is absolutely no indications in these fare rules that this is not a "F" ticket.

That being said the "A" fares are almost always the same price as the discount coach fares without the restrictions associated with change fees, etc. Given what was most likely paid for the ticket vs a coach ticket I'm not sure that there is refund due from this angle. "A" fares are a great way for individuals with no status to upgrade for a reasonable cost.

If US follows the same process in bumping that they do in upgrading at the gate (i.e. wait list). fare has nothing to do with the decision who gets upgraded. A CP on the cheapest of roach fares will trump a GP or less on a full fare Y ticket. Once you get to the gate, status is everything. The only time a full fare ticket trumps a CP or GP is when there is inventory in the 'P" bucket coming into the process at the gate. If "P" is gone. the full fare Y ticket is going to be sitting in coach.

I'm guessing, but do not know for sure, that the process works in reverse as well. If someone has to be bumped, for what ever reason, the CP's are going to be protected regardless of the fare they paid. (Being a CP with well over a 100 segments on US I can't say that I disagree with this policy. ;) ) I'm guessing that renalt has no status on US and possibly no UA status either. If this is the case, I think US is going to start with those without status first and work their way up the ranks of the preferred members. Doesn't make it right, but I'm guessing this is the way it works.

Now back to the OP. Given the fares do not mention in any way that is a coach fare, US may not feel they have an obligation here, but at the very least a confirmed space positive upgrade should be provided, even if it was an air marshal who got the seat.

Again my apologies to renalt130.

I'm with the OP here too. My bet is that the FAM wanted your seat, and rather than bump someone else in first so you can take their seat, they just bumped you. 21% less work, I guess. I've purchased a few of those fares in my time (mostly on AA), and my travel agent shows them as FIRST CLASS on my confirmation with no mention of coach. Only on asking them they tell me its officially a coach ticket upgraded at ticketing at no charge.

I would think that USAirways would offer that special cert that lets you upgrade any flight in advance (I forget what its called) to make up for what happened; in theory that upgrade doesn't cost them much or anything, and is fair. But oh well, I guess we can't expect much from "Your Fault"

Agreed, there seems to be no standardized procedure as far as procedures that happen with downgrades. I've actually been assigned in row2 on larger planes and then the dreaded 757 swap comes in - I get moved out on an upgraded B fare. Other times I've heard of people in these seats were semi-protected.

I had it happen where I had an upgraded seat ex-LAS on a "shorty" 757 during the transition period, and at least two people who paid (or claimed to pay, given the amount of huff exchanged) were in the back. I fully expected to be given the boot, especially given that my upgrade cleared day of departure.

Were it me, I'd do downgrades thusly (in reverse order of who would get downgraded):

Last to go: purchased F fares. Sort by fare paid if it comes to that.

US1
US2
US3
US4

Within the preferred ranks, either sort by fare paid or status miles to date in the year (the roach in me says miles are the way to go, but fare paid is also a possibility, IMO).

If they would not tell you why, it's almost certainly a FAM.

I got a call from Consumer Affairs today after emailing them last week at longing4piedmont's suggestion. The explanation was pretty much the same I had gotten when I called them. The Air Marshall specifically wanted my seat, nobody had been upgraded at the gate and my A fare was amazingly inexpensive.

They offered me a confirmed NA upgrade for the inconvenience and I'm very satisfied with that. I do think they could have handled the situation better though. If the gate agent had been able to issue an upgrade certificate or if Consumer Affairs had offered it the first time I called, my complaining would have been kept to a minimum.

All in all I'm happy with the outcome. Like I said in my first post I've come into contact with some terrific US employees. Some of the flight attendants are amazingly funny/thoughtful/interesting and I look forward to flying with them again.

I wonder. I'm on a first class award (Yes, I know waste, but whatever) on a 757 with two rows of first class. If an air marshall bumps you to the back, what would you expect? I would expect a refund of the difference in miles from coach to first, but of course it gets more complicated when you only get bumped one of the ways, or if its only one segment of multiple, etc, etc.

Well, more thumbs down to the sacks of ... well the regulars will know the rest of that sentence :)

PS- I'm glad it worked out for the OP. Sounds satisfactory to me too.

They offered me a confirmed NA upgrade for the inconvenience and I'm very satisfied with that. I do think they could have handled the situation better though. If the gate agent had been able to issue an upgrade certificate or if Consumer Affairs had offered it the first time I called, my complaining would have been kept to a minimum.


That's good --- they should've done just that the first time this was brought to their attention. I hope that they will make this standard practice in the event of similar situations.

The problem is that if US can bump A class passengers any time they feel like it what's the point of buying A tickets?
Well, it wasn't really US, it was the last minute air marshall. I mean, what can they do? They HAVE to board this guy in 1st, so they HAVE to bump somebody, and in this case, due to fare/status, it was unfortunately you...

If the air marshall wants to be close to the front there's always the forward lav...

If the air marshall wants to be close to the front there's always the forward lav...

Good idea - s/he would certainly retain the element of surprise... I can imagine them jumping out:

"Noooobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

I just had this same thing happen on a B class fare - which I guarenteed to 1st class - and was told an air marshall took my seat at the last minute. I paid extra for b class just so I could upgrade at purchase (3 months earlier) - a cheaper ticket was available. As it was one leg of a 4 leg trip no compensation was offered. I finally - after much time, effort, and 2 bad consumer relation experiences prior to a satisfactory one - was able to change my flight times to a time with 1st available. I was taking a friend on a trip of a lifetime - and 1st class was important to the expeience - hence the extra expense.

There should be some accomadation when guaranteed 1st class is taken away at the last minute and extra $ actually changed hands for the seat. At least a future upgrade or easy ability to change to another time on the same day if it is available (that was my solution - but only after being told no twice).

On a trip this afternoon/evening from BOS to CLT and CLT to BNA, I was confirmed in both legs in F at the seven day CP upgrade window. The BOS to CLT leg was delayed by about 1.5 hours, but I was in good shape since the ship on the first flight would also be used on the CLT to BNA leg. Upon arrival in CLT at 7:25, they had already decided that the CLT to BNA flight would be on a different ship, but same equipment (737). The second flight was scheduled to take off at 7:00, but was still at the gate with the boarding door open. I was in luck that the new gate was right next to my arrival gate, but I was surprised when I was informed that I had been downgraded to coach. The gate agent claimed that they didn't think I would make it on my inbound flight in time and had reassigned my seat. While this conversation occured, someone came running up behind me, showed his boarding pass and took a seat in F. :mad:

I understand that since I didn't pay for F, I should have no expectation for F, but I've never been downgraded like this in 3 years as a CP. Has anyone else been downgraded like this for reasons other than a FAM taking a seat or an equipment change, i.e. 320 to 757? It would seem that the same system that always holds flights for late inbound pax would also save seat assignments for said pax.

The always helpful CP desk made a nice gesture by upgrading a future flight outside of the 7 day window. I really hope the new US keeps this perk.

I understand that since I didn't pay for F, I should have no expectation for F, but I've never been downgraded like this in 3 years as a CP. Has anyone else been downgraded like this for reasons other than a FAM taking a seat or an equipment change, i.e. 320 to 757? It would seem that the same system that always holds flights for late inbound pax would also save seat assignments for said pax.


Yes, this happened to me once (though I'm only a Gold) last September. Flight out of JAX to CLT was late... was connecting to PHL. Pulled into the gate about 3 minutes after the PHL departure time, came up my jetway and saw the PHL flight with jetway door still open directly across. Gate agent told me they were just waiting for a couple of people, and me and one other were allowed on, however told me that my First seat was "no longer available" and told me just to take like 6A without a boarding pass. Got down to the plane and of course overheads are full. I just had a rollaboard with me. Flight attendant said I'd have to gate check, and I refused, as I had a laptop and other electronics in it. Said that was fine, they'd just put it in the closet in that case. So I removed the laptop and went back to my seat. Same F/A came back to me after pushback and said they ended up gate checking the bag and which point I said something to him about doing so without my consent, and after assuring me he wouldn't gate check it.

Long story short.... digital camera busted by the time it came down to PHL bag belt 45 minutes after arrival. Bag service wouldn't do anything... didn't even want to take down a claim. Got into a shouting match with them after they informed me that a B737 is an RJ and that as a Preferred I should know better than to bring a rollaboard into the cabin of "such a small plane." DOT complaint, airport authority complaint, and three registered letters to US, I got $450 in travel vouchers over 3 months later, after getting the "not responsible for damaged items poorly packed in checked luggage" line over mail, email, and phone for that entire time.

only ever been downgraded once, but I will not complain about it. (this was a few years back) connection into PIT ran late, ran to the gate only to find they had just closed it up. they went ahead and opened the aircraft back up for me, but my seat was gone. still thankful that i was able to get on that flight instead of waiting for the next.

I was on a paid F fare yesterday... aircraft was switched to an E70, I was downgraded to Y... asked about any sort of compensation, told sorry :rolleyes:

Sorry???? You need to call consumer affairs 866.523.5333 don't just lay down....fight to get some kind of compensation.

I was on a paid F fare yesterday... aircraft was switched to an E70, I was downgraded to Y... asked about any sort of compensation, told sorry :rolleyes:

Were you connecting to another flight with F or was this your sole flight?

I was on a paid F fare yesterday... aircraft was switched to an E70, I was downgraded to Y... asked about any sort of compensation, told sorry :rolleyes:

If this was a real paid F fare, you are entitled to at least a refund of the fare difference for that leg.

Pardon me for asking (I didn't have time to skim all 4 pages of this thread), but what is an "A" fare. Is it one of those things where you pay full coach, and get space-available FC seating? Thanks. :confused:

Fares in the A fare bucket are priced like refundable coach fares, but get you a seat in first if there's availability there at the time of booking. Otherwise, you sit in coach. Basically, it's a cheaper way to get a seat in first.

Generally you won't get compensation on an A fare and something happens to disrupt your itinerary (cancellation, reroute, etc) that causes you to take another flight without first, or without availability in first, since you're really paying a coach fare.

Wondere if my trip to Vegas last spring was an A fare? It was like $500.00 and change from GSP-LAS roundtrip. Didn't get bumped, though! ^

If this was a real paid F fare, you are entitled to at least a refund of the fare difference for that leg.

It was a F8 fare from LEB. Mapleleaf would have to pay them. :D

I am a CP and am taking a US 737 tomorrow on a business trip. I called last week to get upgraded, and I was given a seat in FC. Then I checked in online this morning and was back in coach- not even an exit row. There are 3 seats in FC left, according to the CP desk, but I cannot get upgraded until possibly at the airport now, as the CP desk told me.

Any advice to get my upgrade back before tomorrow (as it's a very early flight and I am already getting up at 5AM) would be most appreciated! Thanks.

I am a CP and am taking a US 737 tomorrow on a business trip. I called last week to get upgraded, and I was given a seat in FC. Then I checked in online this morning and was back in coach- not even an exit row. There are 3 seats in FC left, according to the CP desk, but I cannot get upgraded until possibly at the airport now, as the CP desk told me.

Any advice to get my upgrade back before tomorrow (as it's a very early flight and I am already getting up at 5AM) would be most appreciated! Thanks.

Check in online right now. Call the CP desk back and ask for a supervisor to review the record and fix it for you if possible.

Mine was somewhat like the OP. I had A fare PHL-CLT and was sitting in my seat (2D) when someone shows up with the same seat assignment. The co-pilot was standing in the galley and took the other passenger's boarding pass and said he would find out what is happening and went to see the ga. He returns and tells the FA to tell me to get out the seat as it belongs to this other passenger. I begin to quietly make a fuss and the co-pilot tells me that if I want to fly to CLT on this flight to take my new seat assignment in Y and goes back to the flight deck.

I emailed customer service three times before receiving a response which basically said sorry and really nothing else. Two weeks later I received a certificate for a flight upgrade. Not sure what to do with the certificate as I am CP so have no need for the certificate. Did take a long hard look at United though and might still make the jump starting in Feb.

I begin to quietly make a fuss and the co-pilot tells me that if I want to fly to CLT on this flight to take my new seat assignment in Y and goes back to the flight deck.
Then your a better man than I. Hell would have froze over before I would have moved on a "A" fare and I would not have been quiet about it. And I don't care if it was a sky marshall who wanted the seat. The plane would have sat there until they carried me off....

Check in online right now. Call the CP desk back and ask for a supervisor to review the record and fix it for you if possible.

Thanks for the advice. Earlier today- between check-in and the time I called- even my coach seat vanished. Now it is fixed- took 3 calls to the CP desk.

What happened was that I bought the ticket through a travel agency, and I was upgraded when I called the CP desk, before the ticketing was final. Thus the upgraded fare code wasn't allowed by my travel agency and its computer apparently kicked me back to coach. I have no idea how I even lost my coach seat, but now it is fixed. Lesson learned- do NOT upgrade on a business trip ticket until the ticket has been issued.

AA does this frequently with YUPs during irregular ops, or if they blow a connection. No compensation, no nothing. It's not just US that does this, but pretty much everyone.

It absolutely is WRONG, because if you price "discounted/restricted F" on the website, you get an A/YUP/QUP, etc. Bad, bad business.

Thanks for the advice. Earlier today- between check-in and the time I called- even my coach seat vanished. Now it is fixed- took 3 calls to the CP desk.

What happened was that I bought the ticket through a travel agency, and I was upgraded when I called the CP desk, before the ticketing was final. Thus the upgraded fare code wasn't allowed by my travel agency and its computer apparently kicked me back to coach. I have no idea how I even lost my coach seat, but now it is fixed. Lesson learned- do NOT upgrade on a business trip ticket until the ticket has been issued.

Odd. Only because on my particular corporate engine (saabre hooked, somehow) US (and specifically the CP desk whence I was still CP) could not upgrade me or provide upgraded seats until the reservation ticketed (which sometime took a while).

Glad to hear it worked out.